The Quickest Sedans of 2008: $30,000 to $40,000

It makes us really happy to write about an American sedan for which we need make no excuses, a manifestation of what the U.S. auto industry can and should produce: bold, broad, innovative machines that are stylistically and dynamically engaging. Cadillac continues to deliver the goods, a trend started with the embrace of its “art and science” aesthetics and well-developed and refined mechanicals near the beginning of this decade.

GM threw all its available technology at the CTS’s all-alloy V-6 engine, gaining 1 mpg in fuel economy and a big 49 horsepower and 21 pound-feet of torque. These yields are the result of direct injection and high compression, as the engine still displaces 3.6 liters.

It takes 5.8 seconds for 304 horsepower to push the CTS to 60 mph. The car would be quicker if it didn’t weigh more than two tons, but much of that beef comes from bits like triple door seals, sound deadening for a better user experience, and luxury interior materials that create GM’s best interior yet, one that upstages that of the 2008 Mercedes C-class.

Our testing shows that the best shot for not acting the clown at your next stoplight rodeo involves dumping the clutch at 4000 rpm and riding out the wheelspin, which is possible owing to fully defeatable traction control. You’ll also want to nix the stability control, should you want to do something creative and sideways with all that torque.

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